Banking

Citigroup could fetch as much as $6 billion from the sale of retail banking assets in 13 markets across the Asia-Pacific region, Europe and the Middle East as the lender forges ahead with plans to fine-tune its global branch network, people familiar with the plan said.

Brian King is coming back as chief risk officer after leaving for a similar job at Wells Fargo; the former Citi executive, who is running for mayor of New York, is getting $5.7 million.

The popular annual program is back and it has never been easier to participate, but the deadline to register is coming up quickly.

Regulators recently eased field-of-membership rules to promote growth of federal credit unions. A handful of institutions are taking advantage of the changes to recruit more members, but some may find the process too cumbersome.

The company promoted Bob Fehlman to become its president and hired Jay Brogdon from Stephens Inc. to succeed Fehlman as chief financial officer.

Ken Meyer, who will speak at American Banker's Digital Banking AI & Automation conference next week, says banks should be able to quickly catch up with big technology companies and financial services upstarts in the adoption of artificial intelligence without alienating customers or running afoul of regulators.

The Georgia company agreed to pay $84 million for a bank with nine branches and $715 million of assets.

The deal would be Independent's sixth since 2015 and would continue a wave of consolidation among Boston-area banks.

The Portland, Ore., company has a simple growth plan: convert more Paycheck Protection Program borrowers into long-term customers.

The Ohio regional took advantage of an unexpected boost in interest income in the first quarter to upgrade its digital platform and recruit bankers in wealth management, capital markets and Small Business Administration lending.

The agency will hold an exercise this summer related to emerging fraud risks and one board member suggested Congress should once again consider allowing the NCUA to oversee third-party vendors — a measure that would cost the regulator roughly $2 million a year.

The 2020 elections buoyed hopes that Congress would finally make it easier for financial institutions to serve cannabis businesses. But Democrats’ push to decriminalize marijuana — a nonstarter for most Republicans — threatens the more targeted effort.

Now known as Alltrust Credit Union, the Fairhaven, Mass.-based institution serves more than 14,000 members across New England.

The Maryland company is closer to addressing claims it lacked sufficient controls under its previous management.

The bank plans to hire about 200 more people and reduce hours to help reduce stress on junior analysts; the Swiss bank was exposed to as much as $20 billion to failed Archegos fund.

Clarity on credit quality has bankers ready to strike deals after a lengthy pause. A steady rise in stock prices has also given potential buyers the financial wherewithal to pursue acquisitions.

Cal Poly Federal Credit Union's recent merger into SchoolsFirst highlights the difficult choice many small institutions face: diversify your field of membership or risk going out of business.

Morgan Stanley was also among 43 banks worldwide to sign on as initial members of the Net-Zero Banking Alliance. Convened by the United Nations, the group has pledged to help clients in carbon-intensive industries — including transportation, mining and agriculture — reduce their reliance on fossil fuels.

The Tennessee company says it has been pitching specialty finance products inherited from Iberiabank to its own clients.

Oil and gas companies — flush with cash from rising oil prices — are catching up on debt payments and will seek new credit later in the year as the economy recovers, the Oklahoma company says.